Fishy Fun at Farallon de Pajaros

A Better Understanding of Coral Reef Ecosystems

Pelagic predators such as these barracuda, Sphyraena qenie, are part of the coral reef ecosystem in the U.S. Line Islands (NOAA Photo by Kevin Lino).

A team of scientists have embarked from Hawai'i on a three-month survey of coral reef ecosystems at Johnston Atoll, the U.S. Phoenix Islands, the islands of American Samoa, and the U.S. Line Islands in the tropical Pacific Ocean. The overarching objective is to better understand the coral reef ecosystems of these areas, many of which are seldom explored. The research expedition is part of a regular monitoring program, conducted by the Coral Reef Ecosystem Division (CRED), headquartered in Honolulu, Hawai'i. The expedition is supported by NOAA's Coral Reef Conservation Program and involves extensive cooperation among NOAA scientists and research partners, including the University of Hawaii Joint Institute for Marine and Atmospheric Research (JIMAR), the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, San Diego State University, and the Papahānaumaokuākea Marine National Monument.

The research expedition will be carried out from February 27 to May 24, 2012 aboard the NOAA ship Hi'ialakai. Under the leadership of Chief Scientists Dr. Jill Zamzow, Dr. Bernardo Vargas-Angél, and Jamison Gove, a diverse team of researchers will be conducting multidisciplinary coral reef ecosystem surveys, assessing the status of fishes, corals, algae, marine invertebrates, and the oceanographic conditions in which these organisms exist. The scientific data collected during the three-month research expedition will enable informed and effective implementation of ecosystem-based management and conservation strategies for coral reef ecosystems, helping to ensure their protection for generations to come.

Friday, May 1, 2009

Fishy Fun at Farallon de Pajaros

The island of Farallon de Pajaros (aka Uracus), is the northernmost island in the Mariana Archipelago. It is also considered the most volcanically active. Although, the last major eruption was recorded in 1967, undersea vents and the nearby Makhahnas seamount are still reportedly active. Its steep slopes are stark, but populated by thriving seabird communities, which nest on the platforms created by past lava flows.

Underwater, the relatively young reef ecosystem is populated by scattered coral colonies. In some areas, the corals are attached to boulders surrounded by black sand, but in others they are attached directly on the dark volcanic rock substrate along steep walls. While the reef here is not as well developed as others in the chain, the fish population here was surprisingly robust and interesting. (Photo: R. Schroeder)

The Fish Team was able to document two important findings at this island: the continued presence of the endemic yellow-crowned butterflyfish, Chaetodon flavocoronatus, first noted during the 2007 MARAMP, and a species of fish previously not recorded in the Marianas, the saddleback hogfish (Bodianus bilunulatus).

Yellow-crowned butterflyfish (Chaetodon flavocoronatus) Photo: M. Nadon

Black Jack (Caranx lugubris) Photo: V. Brown

White-tip Reef Shark (Triaenodon obesus) Photo: M. Ferguson

Those were not the only interesting finds of the day, because every REA site provided close encounters with curious large predators from friendly black jacks, Caranx lugubris, to more intimidating great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda), white-tip reef sharks (Triaenodon obesus), and gray reef sharks (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos).

Great barracuda (Sphyraena barracuda) Photo: V. Brown

But clearly, the highlight of our day had to be the entertainment we received during our safety stop, as we were visited by a school of more than a hundred Spadefish, also known as Batfish, or Platax teira to the scientists on the Fish Team. These beautiful, somewhat goofy fish surrounded us as we floated at fifteen feet. They swam in circles around us, first one way, then another, boldly approaching close enough to stare into our eyes, almost close enough to touch. Their antics amused and delighted us, bringing a bright ray of light into an otherwise cloudy, overcast day. The evening was spent sharing pictures and stories of our encounters. It was definitely a memorable experience for both the Oceanography and REA teams who encountered these gregarious fish.